Hi all, obviously I'm new here.
Im just getting started recording. Will be doing so on a new Imac.
I plan to invest around 600-700 for an interface, monitors, large diaphragm condenser mic, and cords and whatnot.
My needs are only to be able to record a track at a time; vocals, some acoustic and line-in electrics for now.
What would YOU recommend/ what would you get if you were just starting up... ?
Heavily considering this package right here...
http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/product/Digidesign-Pro-Tools-Mbox-2-Factory-Package?sku=702527
But also kinda considering the Mbox mini, coupled with a better mic. Possibly the NT1-a by Rode. But, this would hinder me from being able to record one track in stereo, correct?
What do you think?
Thanks in advance for any suggestions.
OK, if I was trying to do what you have stated on a budget, personally I would worry more about the front end and less about the back end. First, recording bundles tend to be like drum mic kits. They look good, but tend to be assembled from things that didn't sell that well. You have pretty much correctly concluded that you need a mic, an interface, and some monitors, and the peripherals to connect them. You are specifying direct electric guitar, which is do-able, but often doesn't hold up to a good mic in front of a good amp. But- I'll presume you don't have a good amp, or cannot make a lot of noise, or both.
The biggest problem, perhaps, is the monitors. Even pretty pedestrian monitors would suck up your whole budget, and would still be a long ways off from top of the line. Another issue is- don't fixate on Pro Tools. It used to be a big deal industry standard, but there are lots of alternatives now. The most powerful and desirable capabilities of Pro Tools are ones you won't be able to use for a long time, as you have neither the budget, nor the experience. Don't be sucked in by the cool plugins and software. If you don't get a good recording going in, it won't help, and if you do, you won't need most of it. All you are going to need at first is a decent reverb plugin, a decent compressor, and some EQ. And- because you want to do electric guitar direct, a basic amp modeler will be very useful.
Here's the standard way to attack it-
Monitors- I'd probably go with these:
http://www.8thstreet.com/product.asp?ProductCode=41596&Category=Monitoring
Are they good monitors? No. You *can't* afford good monitors yet. But they'll give you some thing to use until you can. I think they are better than any active monitors in that pricerange.
Interface- If you are really set on direct recording electric, I'd probably go with this:
http://www.8thstreet.com/product.asp?ProductCode=60669&Category=Audio_Interfaces
The preamps are a cut above most of the cheaper interfaces, and it has a bunch of guitar modeling capabilities.
Mic(s)- Unfortunately, the needs of mic'ing vocals and acoustic guitar are not always the same. For an all purpose cheap condenser, I like this:
http://www.8thstreet.com/product.asp?ProductCode=6458&Category=Microphones
software- Just pay the $60 and go with reaper. A lot of other people will tell you the same thing.
That leaves you with about $100 for a boom stand, a shock mount, a pop filter, and a good mic cable, which is cutting it close.
Alright, what I've just given you is kind of the standard answer. Now I'll tell you what I would really do-
First, I would admit that I don't have the budget yet for a real pair of monitors, and I would just get a good set of headphones, which you are going to need anyway. I like these:
http://www.8thstreet.com/product.asp?ProductCode=10952&Category=Monitoring
Then I would buy this (no kidding):
http://www.8thstreet.com/product.asp?ProductCode=32943&Category=Recorders
Why? Because it is a perfectly good USB powered interface, *and* a perfectly good standalone recorder, with built in compression, EQ, guitar amp modeling, and a pair of condenser mics. It also comes with cubase software. You can plug it into a computer, and use it as an interface, or take it with you and record anywhere, then download it to a computer for further processing in cubase, or almost any other recording software you want. That way, you can use the plugins in the Zoom, or record clean and process in the computer using Cubase. Then I would add the V67 I listed above, as a main vocal mic. You can sing into the onboard mics, but I prefer a large diaphragm condenser for that. And, if you want, you can record the acoustic with the onboard stereo mics, and use the V67 for lead vocals at the same time, because you have 4 tracks, instead of 2. I would probably add a 16 or 32 gig SD card as soon as possible, 1 gig just doesn't cut it.
So I've got you at about $530 or so (with the 16 gig card), probably $650 after you add a mic stand, a shock mount, a pop filter, and a cable or 2. The advantages? First, it is now all miniaturized and battery powered, if you want it to be. Don't like the space you have? Record somewhere else. The whole system can fit in a briefcase. Two, you now have 4 tracks of simultaneous input, although 2 of them are a pair of stereo mics. You have 3 mics, instead of 2, and a place to plug in the fourth one, if you get it. You can put it into a guitar case. And most importantly, down the road, when you upgrade to a badass, high end recording system, unlike most cheap interfaces, it will not become useless. It will still be a a notebook, the PDA of a recording artist. Best of luck in whatever you decide to do.-Richie
), Rode NT2-A mic.
